Buffet-server.



A. M. BLAGKWELL.

BUFFET SERVER.

APPLICATION FILED TEB.27, 1912.

DELABE M. VBLACKWTEILL, Ol? SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

currar-SERVER.

accesar. j

' application inea rebruary er, i912. serial No. 680,255.

the combination of the plate and an iinproved attachment therefordesigned to support a cup. Y

Probably the most striking' disadvantage of serving guests in buffetfashion is the inconvenience and at times impossibility of properlyholding or supporting acup in connection with the Ordinary plate, whichlatter is of course of'relatively small size. This objection is entirelyeliminated by me in the construction above suggested, .where the platemay be held in one hand as shown and the cup in turn supportedby theplate itself, leaving the other hand free for use at the will ofthe-user.

Detail characteristics of the invention will be apparent from thespecific description hereinafter contained when read in connection withthe accompanying drawings torining parthereof and wherein severalpreferred embodiments of the ,invention are illust-rated, and each ofwhich embodiments embraces common features rendering the several devicessimple, cheap and practical for the purpose for which they are intended.

lln the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form ofattachment properly applied in position on a plate to re- -ceive a cupof a conventional type, the latter being shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2is a bottom view of Fig. 1, Figs. 3 and 4 are views corresponding to thefirst two gures illustrative of a second form of device, Figs. 5 and 6are similar views of still another form of device, and Figs. 7, 8 and 9are fragmentary vertical sectional views of the three devices abovereferred to illustrating somewhat more clearly the direct engagement-ofthe several attachments with their plates.

Referring more specifically to the drawings Specication of LettersPatent.

Patented June wherein-like reference characters designate correspondingpartsin the several series of views, and first with reference to Figs.1, 2 and 7, represents a plate having the usual inclmed rim and bottomsupporting ring or bead B. C `is an approximately circular support, thesame comprising conveniently a fiat sheet metal spring band split andseparated at its rear to afford an opening D. 'lllie supporting ring isde Signed to occupy a plane parallel to the plane of the liottom of theplate so as to occupy a proper horizontal position. The support for thering is arranged so that the ring will be projected inwardly over theplate and consists in the present instance, of two vertical'legs oruprights E, fastened to and depending from the terminal portionsof thesupporting ring C, as indicated at e, the lower ends of the uprights orlegs being provided with spring feet F,

.formed by bending the metal upon itself t0 constitute a clip adapted toreceive the flange of the plate therein, the angular relation of theclip to the uprightsbeing such that the latter are given a true verticalposition notwithstanding the inclination of the plate Harige. While thefrictional engagement of the feet with the flange of the Vplate in manycases will be found sufficient,-and the invention includes such aAstructure,-I have` deemed it well to provide a lock to insure againstaccidental displacement or removal of the attachment from the plate, thelatter including a base connecting portion F for the spring feet, odsettherefrom, as at f, to accommodate the .base ring or bead B of theplate,- so that the connecting portion or the'head lF will interlockwith the bead, as clearly shown in Fig. 7.

From the foregoing construction it will be appreciated that when theattachment is properly applied to the plate, the former may readilyreceive and support a cup, represented at G, with the handle H thereofprojecting outwardly through the space D in the supporting ring Cmarginally of the plate in convenient accessof the user. The overhangingposition of the ring and cup, incident to the weight thereof, assistsinthe maintenance of the several parte in operative association.

In Fig. 3, 4 and 8, ll have illustrated a device quite similar to thatof the iiw` just described, but in lieu of the loch i;

' immediately underlie the rim of the plate in rim to lock theattachmentl on the plate.

or base portion F, previously referred to, the locking means 'in thisinstance comprising a connecting base portlon J adapted to o position toflattened or disk like portions If) at the lower ends of the supportinguprights L, adapted tolrest upon the u per surfaceof the rim, 'a thumbscrew N aving threadedy engagement with the connecting portion J andimpingmg against the Referring now to the remaining gures of thedrawing, to wit, Figs. 5, 6 and 9,1 therein disclose a form of devicewherein but a single upright or leg N', connected to one terminal of thesplit supporting ring O, as at o, alone supports the ring, the leg orupright being provided with a spring foot P similar to the feet of theform first herein described, terminatingin an Oifset'base portion orhead Q, engaging the bottomv of the plate beyond the bead or flange qthereof to interlock with vthe bead, as clearly shown in Fig. 9. A

From the disclosures herein imparted, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the' art' that although the invention has been shown asembodied in several forms and devices,

the same is not limited thereto but may be embodied in still other formswithoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. It will also beunderstood that the uses to which the plate and cup herein referred toare immaterial, the device being serviceablethroughout a large field ofusefulness.

'porting ring, and means lfor securin loup, the cup engaging portioncomprising al rlng formed with an open portion to accommodate alateralcup handle.

2. An attachment of the character described comprising acup engagingring provided With an open portion, a pair of supports connected to theterminals of the supthe supports to\ the rim of a plate, sai lastmentioned means including apart formed to embrace therim of the plateand 'connecting the standards together.

3. A cup supporting attachment of the character described having a base,a supporting standard projectingupwardly from said base, and a cupengaglng ring at the upper end of the supportlng standard a apted tosupport a cup and having an outwardly disposed opening to accommodate acup handle. y

In testimonyiwhereof I aix my signature in presence ofl two witnesses.

ADELAIDE M. BLACKWELL.

